In recent years, there have been several attempts at building ahydrogen boat.
But UK startup Drift is navigating new territory with a vessel that isnt hydrogen-powered, but hydrogen-producing.
Drift is developing anautonomousyacht capable of making green hydrogen at sea.
This is a huge benefit when compared to having a fixed installation.
Wind pushes the sailboat, spinning a turbine under the hull which directs electricity to an onboard electrolyser.
This machine uses an electrical current tobreak down seawater into hydrogen and oxygen.
40% off TNW Conference!
However, the company is exploring ways to store the hydrogen as liquid, which is much denser.
They will act like mobile green hydrogen factories.
An algorithm built byAI firm Facultydetermines the best routes for the yachts to traverse to maximise green hydrogen production.
He used the analogy of healthcare to explain.
If large hydrogen plants are the hospitals, the Drift boats are the ambulances, he said.
The startup has also recently bagged a grant from Innovate UK, the UKs innovation agency.
Drift has already successfullytrialled a scale-down version of its technology.
The startups plan is to build 58-metre giants capable of producing up to 150,000 kg of hydrogen per year.
Story bySion Geschwindt
Sion is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy.
